Introducing a new pattern…
As many of you know, I spent a lot of time last year reflecting on “place,” in particular, peace in place. We even spent 21 days in December (Project Peace 2020) exploring what it means to find peace in “place.” In March 2020, when we retreated into our physical places, this idea of finding peace where I live weighed heavy on my mind.
When posed with the question "where is my place?" we often focus on the land we call home. What if the place that brings you comfort is not where you reside, dwell, or hang your hat, but rather a distant land, in the midst of a grand forest, a wide-open prairie, or at the water's edge?
The simple act of knitting can transport us to far-away places through the stories told in our stitches. A Norwegian forest inspired this new pattern.
This is my place... deep in the forest surrounded by the great beings we call trees.
The initial inspiration for this design came to me when I travelled to Oslo, Norway in September 2019 to attend a conference organized by the Nobel Peace Center. Although I loved the city of Oslo, I was yearning to walk in the forest. Some fellow conference attendees suggested I take the train to the top of the mountain overlooking Oslo and there, I would find a forest. I asked for further directions… where do I go once I get off the train? How do I find the forest? The trails? Again, they gently affirmed their original instructions… just go the last stop and you’ll know what to do.
And yes, leaving the platform at the last stop, you step into a forest, the most magical forest.
I meandered through the trees…
looking up at the brilliant blue sky…
gazing down at the mossy floor
dotted with the most brilliant red berries.
A bit lost yet comfortably familiar…
The shawl idea came to mind as the train transported me back down the side of the mountain to Oslo…
stripes of brown and beige for the trees…
green lace for the pine needles, leaves, and moss…
and bright red bobbles for the brilliant berries.
The design engrained in my mind wasn’t transferred from thought to needles until inspired by a call for designs from Kate Davies in March 2020. I’ve long admired the work of Kate Davies and to submit an idea for her perusal felt daring and bold. By August, I’d finished the shawl, submitted my photos, and found out that the idea had been selected to be featured along with the works created by other designers for the MY PLACE series. Each Wednesday for the past couple of months, Kate Davies has highlighted a pattern based on an individual’s interpretation of MY PLACE.
You can read my essay for MY PLACE on Kate Davie’s blog. A big thank you to KDD&Co Team for the yarn support and encouragement, Becky Monahan for her amazing tech editing and graphic design work, and Lisa Nunamaker for her beautiful illustration. Lastly, a huge hug to Lola who graciously (sometimes and other times not so much) allows me to take photos of her wearing each design that makes it this far!
The oak savannah of Iowa prairie…
You can download a copy of Norwegian Forest from Ravelry. Through 3/21, receive 20% off using the code NFbobble20
The pattern is also available on The Healthy Knitter website; the pattern price will be automatically reduced through 3/21.
As we approach the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere, the days are longer, and the Earth begins to show signs of new life. Soon, the mirky brown of March will be covered with new growth andan abundance of green…. on this day of the feast of St. Patrick, might I suggest a warm cup of herbal tea to connect to the Earth and all her splendor.
peace… and I’ll see everyone for the next full moon (3/28).
Christina
